Connie Gale gained her wings on August 31, 2023 at 68 years old after many health complications, which she courageously battled. Never wanting her loved ones to worry, she exhibited the strength and resilience of a mighty warrior through it all.

Connie was born in Austin, Texas to Don Ray (Eugene) Vollmering and Bertha Mae Calhoun Vollmering. She grew up in Austin and Manor, Texas with many siblings, cousins, and friends to climb trees with, listen to Elvis, and enjoy the adventures only found in little rural towns.

Connie was an extremely loving and protective "Momma Bear" to her six children, Tracy Lynn, Chris Oneal, Tammy Gale, Tina Michelle, Curtis Ray, and Tiffany Mae. She never explained the "T"s and "C's, but it sure made for a tongue-twisting moment at times. Everyone knew that she lived for her babies, no matter how old they got!

Her 12 grandchildren; Tabitha, Chris, Tyler, Tristen, Ava, Cameron, Travis, Sierra, Curtis, Jillian, Emily, and Nicholas; along with her 3 great-grandchildren; Izayah, Jasmin, and Chris Jr., brought her so much joy. She looked forward to seeing everyone come over for Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's all year long. There were so many stockings to hang that they were all around her living room. The smile on her face as she watched everyone enjoy being together was brighter than all of the Christmas lights wrapped around her house.

When her children were younger, she enjoyed decorating cakes, along with painting ceramics, and sewing matching pajamas for all her kids, she even learned how to make macrame plant holders while living in Germany. For many, many years, BINGO was her favorite pastime and she had the customized bag filled with a rainbow of daubers and various good luck charms and trinkets given to her by family and friends through the years to prove it!

One step into her living room or bedroom and it was easy to see that she was a DIE HARD Dallas Cowboys Super Fan! From the homemade curtains, stuffed bears and footballs in blue and silver, clocks, calendars, and a multitude of other collectibles. If that wasn't enough, the life-size Troy Aikman poster on the back of her bedroom door, which her husband laughed about, left no doubt.

However, as much as she loved "her Cowboys," there was only one man for her; her devoted husband, Michael (Mikey) Berckenhoff. Together, for over 32 years, they built a foundation that supported several generations through many challenges and beautiful moments that a large family goes through. Mike's unwavering desire to do whatever was needed to bring Connie happiness and to care for her many needs as her health declined over the years, showed her children and grandchildren what true love looks like. They will be eternally grateful to him for caring for their precious momma. He was her comforter and protector, and she was his everything.

Connie was preceded in death by both of her parents, her sisters; Ruth and Cathy, and her step-brother, Daryl Preece. She is survived by her husband; Michael Berckenhoff, 6 children, 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, brothers Donnie Ray Vollmering and Steven Small, Sister; Donna Johnson, step-mother; Diane Vollmering, step-brothers; David Preece and Michael Small, step-sisters; Dana Preece and Donna Craig, sisters-in-law, Margaret Halley and Heather Vollmering, Uncle Jimmy (Linda) Calhoun, Aunts; Dean Tomlin and Shirley Patton along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

With Great Love comes Great Joy, but being without Connie Gale has left us with Great Sorrow. Until we are together again, we will miss her immensely and love her bunches and bunches.